The bill, S. 175, is similar to H.R. 872 in the last Congress, which would have clarified Congress’ intentions that National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits are not required for applications of pesticides already regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

H.R. 872 was passed by the full House of Representatives in 2011 but expired with all other pending legislation at the end of the session. The Senate Agriculture Committee approved H.R. 872’s companion legislation, though that bill faced procedural roadblocks that prevented full Senate consideration.